Toilet roll fixtures



Aug. 1, 1967 E. BEKER TOILET ROLL FIXTURES Filed June 27, 1966 United States Patent 3,333,909 TOILET ROLL FIXTURES Ernest Beker, 470 Rothesay Place, Burlington, Ontario, Canada Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 564,486 Claims. (Cl. 312-39) The present invention relates to bathroom-wall fixtures for containing bathroom accessories, and constitutes a continuation-in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 385,234 filed on the 27th day of July 1964, the said present invention being characterized as to the several embodiments illustrated by a stationary supporting structure and a movable structure coacting therewith to facilitate the use of a toilet roll or rolls, and for the dispensing of said rolls, particularly from a container held within the fixture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, in one exemplification thereof, a novel toilet paper dispenser characterized by the combination of an unobstructed cradle or bin having essentially smooth vertical end walls and smooth inclining wall portions there'between to support a free-floating toilet roll, and a cover plate suspended above said cradle or bin, with means co-acting between these two parts for governing and controlling the severance of lengths of toilet paper, all to the end that much less trouble and inconvenience may be occasioned in replenishing the fixture than is the case with the normal forms of toilet roll fixture, and with the complete elimination of the need for a spindle, or for any form of trunnion to support a toilet roll core.

With the foregoing objects in View, and such others as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the.

present invention consists in the following arrangement and construction of parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which: I

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation partly fragmented illustrating a bathroom fixture within the ambit of the present invention adapted for the reception and dispensing of toilet rolls.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation partly fragmented of the preferred embodiment of toilet roll holder.

FIGURE 3 is a small front elevation of the embodiment of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary representation of a slightly modified version of a part of FIGURE 2.

In the drawings, like characters of reference designate similar parts in the several figures.

The embodiment of novel bathroom wall fixture depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 1 is for holding and dispensing paper 60. It is also designed to be recessed within the thickness of the associated wall by virtue of the surrounding flange 61 thereof.

Essentially the modification of the accompanying FIG- URE 1 comprises a toilet-roll cradle or unobstructed bin collectively designated 62 having essentially smooth vertical end walls 63, and smooth, inclining internal and external wall portions 64 which converge into a trough portion 65 so that thercross-section of the cradle or bin may be said to be generally ovoid. As a result of this.

Movable portion 69 comprises a cover plate designeding, re-entrant stamping extending the transverse length of the cover plate between the pair of sides 72 thereof. In the closed position, this strip overlies the outwardly projecting flange 71. Above the flange 71 is an elongated recess 74 into which strip 70 extends. Although the underportion of strip 70 is not shown in the accompanying FIGURE 1 as in fully complementary, interfacing relationship with the upper outwardly projecting surface of flange 71, it should preferably be so, although, according to the frictional characteristics of the paper such complementarity may be modified into the outward divergence which is depicted in phantom lines.

In any event, the payed out end 75 of toilet paper 60, Winds upwardly outwardly and downwardly over the upper edge of the cradle, and then downwardly and outwardly within recess 74 to hang from flange 71 over the cheek portion 76 of cradle 62.

With such arrangements, a sharp jerk on the paper roll at any perforated line thereon should result in satisfactory detachment without undue uncoiling or sidewise puckering. In any event, the free end can most conveniently be brought back to the position it is supposed to occupy by lifting cover 69'.

In the accompanying FIGURES 2 and 3 a further and highly preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept is depicted, which also possesses the novel characteristic of the embodiment just described of keeping the toilet roll concealed and into which a fresh toilet roll can be simply dropped without the necessity for mounting it upon any spindle or pair of trunnions. As will be apparent from FIGURE 2, a plurality of toilet rolls may if desired be loaded into the device. The act of detaching a piece of toilet paper simply consists of opening the concealing cover plate, whereupon, in the main embodiment, a length of toilet paper presents itself pendent ready to pull. In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying FIGURE 4, instead of preferably leaving a length of toilet paper hanging, after use as depicted in chain lines in FIGURE 2, the paper may be detached substantially co-incident with the swinging edge of the concealing cover. Then, as the cover swings back, or counterclockwise, a roller, around which the toilet paper passes, permits the paper to unroll as the roller rotates counterclockwise due to friction between it, the paper and the inside surface of the cover. The paper does not roll back due to any reverse rotation of the roller because the friction aforesaid is insufficient in virtue of the fact that the roller follows the opening of the cover. In addition, if the aforesaid alternative arrangement of FIGURE 4 be adopted, such friction can be further reduced by arranging that the toilet paper immediately behind the cover is held in a cradle such as is depicted in chain lines in FIGURE 2 so that it does not exercise any outward gravitational rolling contact causing pressure on the cover plate such as would be caused by the cradle shown in full lines in FIGURE 2, or particularly when there is one or more than one toilet rolls resting upon the one in use.

A further object of the embodiment of FIGURE 2 is to provide a toilet roll holder intended to be recessed within a wall which is particularly attractive in appearance in relation to modern bathroom design, and which can be very easily and inexpensively manufactured, assembled, and installed.

Essentially, the modification of the accompanying FIG- URES 2 thru 4 contemplates a cradle 77, with sides 78 if desired. A frame 79 is formed integral with the cradle whereby to secure the same against the outer surface 80 of a bathroom wall 81.

To the aforesaid component, at the angulation 82 is attached, by means of the simple hinge, a paper controlling plate 83. The hinge aforesaid may conveniently take the form of a pair of spaced lugs 84 extending through registering apertures 85 formed at the break or angle 86. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the cradle in this embodiment is a two-part cradle comprised of the stationary or first (inner) part 77 and the second movable outer part 83. Covering plate 83 is the aforesaid cover plate 87 of convex, semi-cylindrical confirmation and hinged at 88 to the lintel of frame 79. The plate 87 may, if desired, be provided with sides 89, it being understood that the edges 90 preferably project beyond the sides 89 to provide convenient means for lifting the cover plate 87 into the position shown in chain lines.

An elongated, rounded lip constituting friction means 91 is provided at the upper edge of controlling plate 83. A roll of toilet paper 92 is shown supported in the cradle between the first and second parts 77 and 83. Another roll 93 is shown resting thereon if desired. It may be introduced into the toilet roll holding compartment generally designated 93' by a door positioned above FIGURE 2 and which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate. However, such a door is not a necessity, since a plurality of rolls may if desired be introduced through the aperture which is closed by the part 83 and cover panel 87 when these are fully opened, or the part 83 removed in virtue of the hinging arrangements 84 and 85 described. The conformation of the stationary cradle-part 77 causes toilet roll 92 to bear against part 83. This however is not in all cases at least, a necessity, and therefore, as an alternative, the cradle portion 77 may if desired be shaped as at 94, in which case of course, the roll would not rest against control panel 83.

In any event, the tendency of the controlling plate or panel or part 83 is to swing outwardly as indicated by arrow 95 in virtue of the weight of the roll or friction means 91. A strip 96 of toilet paper follows the directions indicated by arrowheads 97 and 98, the same passing around friction means 91, and terminating, if desired, at 99, in the closed position of the device, under which arrangements the paper is invisible when the device is closed. The paper may even terminate between controlling plate 83 and cover plate 87 completely out of sight within the meniscoidal plenum 99'.

When however the cover plate 87 is pulled openly as indicated in chain lines, obviously the paper 100 will drop, together with controlling plate 83 under the influence of the opening, or counter clock-wise manual rotation of cover plate 87 as indicated by arrow 101. Obviously therefore, a length 102 of toilet paper will hang down visibly and conveniently for pulling and subsequent detachment.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that, if desired, one or several toilet rolls 93 and 92 may be loaded into the magazine 103 simply by opening the cover plate further than is shown, and allowing controlling plate 83 to drop further. As indicated, the position of plate 83 indicated in chain lines is intended to represent its terminal position at which lugs 84 come up against the underside of cradle portion 77. Even with such an arrangement, by opening the cover plate 87 to its maximum extent, rolls of paper can be inserted. Obviously however, second part 87 may if desired be removed completely because of the simple lug arrangement already remarked upon and described.

In the accompanying FIGURE 4, a roller 104 is substituted for the means 91, same being mounted on the trunnions 105. Paper 100 passes around it, and, as a result, the high frictional coefficient between the paper and the inner surface of cover plate 87, will provide that the paper moves in the direction of arrow 106. Particularly if the cradle 94 be provided instead of a cradle in the form of that designated as parts 77 and 83, then, upon the clockwise rotation of plate 87, and the following movement of roller 104, the paper will not roll back under the influence of the clockwise rotation of roller 104 because the frictional coefficient will, in that case be negligible. It follows that, in the open position, the toilet paper may end at 107, quite close to edge 108 of cover 87, instead of having to hang down as at 102 in the open position. Should it be found that there is a coefficient of friction which winds back the paper in the opening of cover 87 according to the modification of FIGURE 4, other means can easily be resorted to in order to prevent this.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is described herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, but that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What is claimed is:

1. A toilet-roll holder comprising in combination a. bin-type toilet-roll cradle and a yieldable paper-roll tension-resisting cover therefor, said cradle being adapted and constructed to support said toilet-roll in essential respects solely from below the horizontal axial plane thereof by resting-contact of the lower outer cylindrical paper roll-surface thereof with an inferior, inner surface portion of said cradle which permits the easy rotation of said roll therein upon the application of tension to the outer loose end of said roll, said cover being so hinged horizontally with respect to said cradle and above the same as to depend from its locus of hinging in such propinquity to said toilet-roll as to conceal the same, and be free to yield upon the application of tension as aforesaid.

2. The holder according to claim 1 in which said cradle and said cover are so structured in the vicinity of their upper and lower edges respectively as to retard the unrolling of said toilet-roll upon the application of tension to said outer loose end thereof and thereby facilitate its severance upon sudden such tension.

3. The holder according to claim 1 in which said cradle has an outer upper edge, a flange in the vicinity of such edge, a frame extending substantially upwardly from said cradle, said frame including a lintel, the upper edges of said cradle and said lintel being parallel, said cover being hingedly connected to said lintel for outward and upward rotation upon the external side of said frame and including a projecting strip in the vicinity of the distal edge thereof, said strip being parallel with, complementary to, and adjacent said flange in the closed position of said cover, said flange and said strip together constituting resistance-means for retarding the unrolling and severance of lengths of toilet paper.

4. The resistance means according to claim 3 in which said flange on said cradle is spaced slightly below said upper cradle-edge to provide a transversely extending recess between said flange and said cradle-edge, said strip projecting into said recess.

5. The toilet-roll holder according to claim 1 which is adapted for installation within the thickness of a Wall or the like, said wall being apertured for the reception of said holder, said holder including a wall-attachable frame, said cradle being a multi-part cradle comprising at least a first-part which resides within the thickness of said wall, and a second part which consists of a papercontrolling plate overlying said wall aperture, said second part being movable manually from out-of-use position to an in-use position, and means for restoring said plate to its out-of-use position.

6. The holder according to claim 5 in which said means for restoring said plate to its out-of-use position consists of said cover, said cover overlapping said controlling plate. 5

7. The holder according to claim 6 in which said frame is attached against one side of said wall, said paper controlling plate being hingedly connected in the vicinity of its lower edge to said first part, said controlling plate and said cover being convex outwardly from the side of wall to which said frame is attached, and friction means on the opposite, distal edge of said controlling plate normally tbearable against the inner surface of said cover, upwardly and over which the loose end of said toilet-roll is intended to extend downwardly between said friction means and cover, whereby the application of tension on said loose end, or the rotation of said cover upwardly and outwardly about its locus of hinging, will cause the exposure of a longer loose outer end of said toilet paper.

8. The holder according to claim 5 in which said cradle is so adapted and constructed as to permit bodily and substantially horizontal rolling movement of said toilet paper roll upon the operation of said paper controlling plate between in-use and out-of-use positions.

'9. The holder according to claim 7 in which the convexity of said paper controlling plate and said cover provides a plenum of semi-meniscoidal cross-section between the hinged ends of said controlling plate and said cover, said friction means spanning said plenum substantially from end to end and between said controlling plate and said cover, the weight of said friction means biassing said controlling plate outwardly and downwar-dly.

10. The holder according to claim 5 in which said first part of said cradle is so inclined as to bias a toilet roll slightly downwards and outwards against said controlling plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,039,065 4/1936 De Mark 312206 2,117,375 5/1938 Steiner 225 10 2,589,587 3/1952 Weaklend 242-555 2,603,427 7/1952 Holmes 242-553 2,606,724 8/1952 Hertz 242-5553 2,873,158 2/1959 Pinkham 312- 39 2,924,493 2/1960 Preble 312 39 FOREIGN PATENTS 829,041 3/1944 France.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TOILET-ROLL HOLDER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A BIN-TYPE TOILET-ROLL CRADLE AND A YIELDABLE PAPER-ROLL TENSION-RESISTING COVER THEREFOR, SAID CRADLE BEING ADAPTED AND CONSTRUCTED TO SUPPORT SAID TOILET-ROLL IN ESSENTIAL RESPECTS SOLELY FROM BELOW THE HORIZONTAL AXIAL PLANE THEREOF BY RESTING-CONTACT OF THE LOWER OUTER CYLINDRICAL PAPER ROLL-SURFACE THEREOF WITH AN INFERIOR, INNER SURFACE PORTION OF SAID CRADLE WHICH PERMITS THE EASY ROTATION OF SAID ROLL THEREIN UPON THE APPLICATION OF TENSION TO THE OUTER LOOSE END OF SAID ROLL, SAID COVER BEING SO HINGED HORIZONTALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID CRADLE AND ABOVE THE SAME AS TO DEPEND FROM ITS LOCUS OF HINGING IN SUCH PROPINQUITY TO SAID TOILET-ROLL AS TO CONCEAL THE SAME, AND BE FREE TO YIELD UPON THE APPLICATION OF TENSION AS AFORESAID. 